Fiona Coffey's father was denied a referral into a Dublin hospital from Mullingar for facial injury treatment.
A Westmeath family is looking for answers after being told Dublin hospitals are refusing to take referrals from Mullingar Hospital.
Last week, Fiona Coffey's father fell from a height and suffered a severe laceration to his jaw causing facial nerve damage, leaving him unable to close his eye or move his jaw muscles.
He was immediately brought to Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar for both an CT Scan and an X-ray to assess the extent of the injury.
Doctors then told Ms Coffey's family he would have to go to Dublin for facial injury treatment.
However the Mater Hospital refused to accept a referral from Mullingar Hospital - with doctors in Westmeath telling the family to self-present in St James' Hospital in Dublin to get access to the required treatment.
Ms Coffey's father, who is almost 80 years old, had to then wait in A & E in Dublin for hours before eventually being given a bed.
She says the health service failed her family:
€114m Westmeath Wastewater Upgrade Complete
Mary O’Rourke Praised As “Hard Working” At Bridge Naming Ceremony
No Mini Budget Planned Despite Pressure Over Fuel And Energy Prices
Africa Day Celebrations Kick Off Across The Midlands
Tánaiste Hails ‘Proof’ Of Help to Buy Scheme Success Across The Midlands
Westmeath Woman Recounts Israeli Interception
Man Charged In Connection With Fatal Offaly House Fire
Mercosur Trade Deal Kicks Into Action Ahead Of European Court Ruling
Westmeath Woman "Deeply Ashamed" Of Spitting Incident
Taoiseach Pays Tribute To Mary O'Rourke At Bridge Dedication
Midlands Walking Club Celebrates 30th Anniversary This Weekend
OPW Minister Wants "Grown Ups" To Resolve Children's Science Museum Fallout
Offaly TD Criticises VAT Disparity For Beauty And Nail Salons
Laois Council Launches Clinics For Vacant Home Grants
Former Children's TV Presenter Revisits Midlands Towns On Nostalgic Journey
€7m Shannon Callows Flood Plans Facing Key Hurdles
Appeal Lodged Against New Lidl Development In Laois
Housing Completions Jump Sharply In Laois In Early 2026
Bressie To Perform At Oprah Winfrey Dublin Show
Daniel Kinahan To Be Held In Laois Prison